The Lady Indians Volleyball proved their resilience and talent at the Centennial League Tournament hosted by Washburn Rural High School on Oct 4. The Indians posted an impressive 4-1 record, underscoring their readiness for the upcoming postseason.
The MHS players left everything on the court during the intense competition.
“Our performance was very good this weekend, we battled hard and really pushed ourselves to be our best every game,” senior Kelbey Larchick said. “Our serve receives and hitting were very consistent throughout the weekend.”
The day’s biggest test came against the tournament host and perennial rival, Washburn Rural. The high-stakes match served as a pivotal moment for the team.
“Our most challenging match was definitely Washburn, they are very well coached, and most of their players have been on varsity for the last few years,” senior Janie Hilgers said.
Despite the challenge, the Indians executed their strategy well, especially early on.
“We did a great job in the first set of stopping runs early and siding out fast, which is always a goal of ours.” Larchick said.
Beyond the rivalry, the team was reminded to never overlook any opponent.
“Topeka high definitely showed up this weekend with a level of competition we had not seen from them before which was a good reminder to always be ready for every team,” Larchick said.
As the day progressed through the five-match schedule, mental and physical toughness became key.
“As the day went on we were getting more and more tired, so we really tried to be smart with our efforts, spread out the offense, and side out as quickly as possible as the day went on,” Larchick said.
This focus on efficiency and tactical play helped them secure some crucial victories. Highlighting the final game against Hayden High School as the team’s most admirable display of fighting spirit.
“I think our Hayden game brought out our best,” Larchick said. “It was our last game, and everyone was tired, but I loved the way that everyone still fought to the final point and carried each other through.”
The players’ ability to keep improving throughout the tournament comes from a positive team culture.
“I think a special quality of our team is that everyone is able to accept constructive criticism, so people are able to make adjustments without getting hurt,” Larchick said.
This open communication translates directly to the team’s success on the court.
“As a team we are starting to realize how talented we truly are, so our communication feeds into our drive to be our best,” Larchick said.
The Indians walked away from Washburn Rural with a clear mandate for future practice.
“We could definitely work on being more consistent while hitting, and staying physically and mentally strong throughout the entire day,” Hilgers said.
But with high spirits, their final takeaway is clear: “We’re ready for the postseason and excited for what is to come,” Larchick said.
